Fifth Sunday of Lent

April 6, 2014

A PIVOTAL STORY

Todays readings represent some of the most dramatic stories in scripture: Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones revived by the breath of God and Lazarus raised from the dead – two miraculous events that contain a great lesson: death is a part of life, but it is not the end – and it is not removed from God’s awareness.

John’s account is beautiful in every detail, but there are three pivotal moments in the Lazarus story that I would like to draw your attention to:

“Lord, if you would have been there, my brother would not have died.”

“Jesus wept.”

“Untie him and let him go.”

As we look at the full implications of each moment, we are reminded that John places it just before Jesus enters Jerusalem. It is the last great event before Jesus begins his final journey to the cross. From death comes life. Suffering cannot be avoided. It is part of humanity. God does not prevent it; rather God is there with us. . . until we are ready to truly live.

CLICK HERE for the readings of the Fifth Sunday of Lent (Ezekiel 37:12-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45).